Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The newest divers' attraction

Fishing vessel Chavdar sunk off Sozopol to create artificial reef and dive site

Photo: BTA

Built in 1964, the fishing vessel Chavdar was sunk to the seabed at a depth of 30 metres off the Black Sea town of Sozopol. The operation, which lasted about an hour, was initiated by writer Mihail Zaimov and his associates. The aim is to transform the ship into an artificial reef. 

A cage from the Institute of Marine Biology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has been installed on the vessel to facilitate black mussel research. 

The ship will also be used by the Sozopol diving centre to train recreational divers.

President Rumen Radev observed the sinking and was among the first to dive to the 'Chavdar' after it reached the seabed.

Over 15 years ago, the "Pioner" was also sunk near Sozopol in a similar manner, marking the beginning of a long-term project to create artificial habitats for marine life and attractive sites for divers.


Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted in English by E. Radkova
Photos: BTA


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

After the fires and drought come the floods – what is the prevention?

All summer, and even now, Bulgaria has been fighting numerous fires – in the fields and in forests . At the same time, over half a million people in Bulgaria are without water supply or on a strict water regime. So, caught up in the current troubles,..

published on 9/23/25 12:50 PM

Village of Trigrad is hosting the National Karakachan Dog Festival

One of the most ancient breeds in Europe, the Karakachan dog is the first Bulgarian indigenous breed of farm animal  recognized by the Animal Breeds Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture in 2005. It owes its name to the nomadic sheep breeders known..

published on 9/21/25 6:05 AM
 Pedrie and Mümin Mestan

From Kardzhali to Brussels via Istanbul – The emigration story of the Mestan family

The tailor shop of the Pedrie and Mümin Mestan family is located on one of the busiest streets in Brussels’ Schaerbeek district. They are originally from Kardzhali but have been living abroad for more than 35 years. In the summer of 1989, they left..

published on 9/20/25 11:25 AM